The Art of Footrot Flats

The Art of Footrot Flats showcases the magnificent body of work of New Zealand's greatest cartoonist, Murray Ball, in a beautifully produced 320-page volume. This book, however, is not simply a cartoon book. It is, as the title suggests, an art book. While most of Ball's books have relied entirely on the much-loved cartoon strips, which have graced newspapers and magazines all over the world for the past 35 years, The Art of Footrot Flats will be different and very, very special. The cartoons will still be there, but more importantly this book will focus on the art of the strip. Working drawings, colours roughs - most of which have never been published before -motion picture story boards and some stunning full page colour illustrations will grace the pages of this lavishly produced salute to New Zealand's most loved cartoon strip. In addition, Murray Ball will provide an illuminating commentary on his work through extended captions. The highest production values, coupled with the massive following Footrot Flats has earned over more than three decades will guarantee the success of this book.

Murray Ball was born in the Manawatu. He spent the early part of his life in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. After being employed as a staff cartoonist on newspapers in New Zealand he worked as a freelance cartoonist in the United Kingdom. He returned to New Zealand in 1974 and created his best-known cartoon strip, Footrot Flats. He and his wife Pam, live on a farm on the outskirts of Gisborne in Poverty Bay.